Everlost
new member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2020
- Messages
- 4
- Age
- 56
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
Hi everybody! So nice to find such a perfect forum for this time in my life. Nice to meet you all!
I am having a right total knee replacement on 2/1/21 and then the left knee replacement will be done 6-8 weeks after, depending on how my recovery goes. I don't know anyone that has had knee replacement so I will be reading as much as I can in the next 2 months to get ready. I'm sure I will have lots of questions.
My insurance got better this year so it was time to start taking care of myself. My plan a year ago would have been to have both knees done in 2020 but I had a couple other surgeries that had to come first and that pandemic kinda got in the way. Oh well, 2021 it is.
I'm really happy, though nervous, to have these surgeries. Not just for me, but for my family. I'm at the point where I can barely walk to the mailbox and back without being in bad pain. I have osteoarthritis. This pain doesn't just affect me, it affects our lives as a family. My kids, my husband, they have missed out on so much because of me. It is time to take my life back. Here is my goal, I'm telling you guys first. I live in Florida, about an hour from the theme parks. When I can walk well again, I'm buying annual passes to Universal and maybe Disney and we are going to enjoy all that they offer.
Questions:
Anyone know anything about short term disability? My work/insurance gives me 6 weeks at 100% pay, after I use 1 week of PTO. After that, its up to 26 weeks at 75% pay. But, I'm having 2 surgeries fairly close together. (I would have done them at the same time but my surgeon said absolutely not). I will call insurance to ask but does anyone know if short term disability is per event or per calendar year ? I prefer the 100% pay two times and use 2 weeks of PTO but it is what it is.
What are the absolutely must have bigger items that will need to be purchased? I know I need a walker, especially with two bad knees. I ordered one from Amazon which will be here this week. I live in a two story house, I don't even know how I will be getting up and down the stairs much less dragging a walker with me, should I buy a second one?
How hard is it to get off the toilet? Do I need an assistive device for this room(s). How bout the shower? I have a walk in shower, do I need a shower stool or will I be okay standing for a 10 minute shower? My 'good' knee is weak, I can't stand on it alone, I'll be weight bearing on the surgery knee right away though, right?
The surgeon said they will send the PT person to my house for the first 2 weeks, I have a home gym with a exercise mat for the floor. After that, they want me to go to outpatient PT, depending on how much my insurance allows. Anything special I need for PT other than some shorts?
That's all I got for now. I look forward to learning from you wise ones that have been there done that and I also look forward to going through this process with the rest of you joint replacement newbies.
I am having a right total knee replacement on 2/1/21 and then the left knee replacement will be done 6-8 weeks after, depending on how my recovery goes. I don't know anyone that has had knee replacement so I will be reading as much as I can in the next 2 months to get ready. I'm sure I will have lots of questions.
My insurance got better this year so it was time to start taking care of myself. My plan a year ago would have been to have both knees done in 2020 but I had a couple other surgeries that had to come first and that pandemic kinda got in the way. Oh well, 2021 it is.
I'm really happy, though nervous, to have these surgeries. Not just for me, but for my family. I'm at the point where I can barely walk to the mailbox and back without being in bad pain. I have osteoarthritis. This pain doesn't just affect me, it affects our lives as a family. My kids, my husband, they have missed out on so much because of me. It is time to take my life back. Here is my goal, I'm telling you guys first. I live in Florida, about an hour from the theme parks. When I can walk well again, I'm buying annual passes to Universal and maybe Disney and we are going to enjoy all that they offer.
Questions:
Anyone know anything about short term disability? My work/insurance gives me 6 weeks at 100% pay, after I use 1 week of PTO. After that, its up to 26 weeks at 75% pay. But, I'm having 2 surgeries fairly close together. (I would have done them at the same time but my surgeon said absolutely not). I will call insurance to ask but does anyone know if short term disability is per event or per calendar year ? I prefer the 100% pay two times and use 2 weeks of PTO but it is what it is.
What are the absolutely must have bigger items that will need to be purchased? I know I need a walker, especially with two bad knees. I ordered one from Amazon which will be here this week. I live in a two story house, I don't even know how I will be getting up and down the stairs much less dragging a walker with me, should I buy a second one?
How hard is it to get off the toilet? Do I need an assistive device for this room(s). How bout the shower? I have a walk in shower, do I need a shower stool or will I be okay standing for a 10 minute shower? My 'good' knee is weak, I can't stand on it alone, I'll be weight bearing on the surgery knee right away though, right?
The surgeon said they will send the PT person to my house for the first 2 weeks, I have a home gym with a exercise mat for the floor. After that, they want me to go to outpatient PT, depending on how much my insurance allows. Anything special I need for PT other than some shorts?
That's all I got for now. I look forward to learning from you wise ones that have been there done that and I also look forward to going through this process with the rest of you joint replacement newbies.